Vacuum-producer.



W KOSSAKOWSKL vAcuum- PRODUCER.

APPLICATION FILED JAN- 12, I914.

mm 9. K 1m w 3n 1 v v u 0 Om I s a E a P W C W mwius psrzns m, PHOTO LIYNO..WASN1NLJON. z; c,

W. KOSSAKOWSKI.

VACUUM PRODUCER.

APPLICATlON FILED JAN. 12. 19M.

1916. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

LSQB'H.

Patented Oct. 3

Ba Kows/(i a m K w a WACLAW KOSSAKOWSKI, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

VACUUM-PRODUCER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 3, 1916.

Application filed January 12, 1914. Serial N 0. 811,554.

To all whom it may concern: I

Be it known that I, VVAoLAw KossAKow- SKI, a subject of the Czar of Russia, and a resident of the city of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Vacuum-Producers; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference'being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the numerals of'reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification;

lVith the practically universal introduction of vacuum heating systems, automatic mechanisms other than vacuum pumps become necessary in small installations for maintaining a reduced pressure in the return lines of the system. Many attempts have been made, and with fair success, to construct vacuum'producers which operate periodically to admit steam and water to' a closed container with the consequent condensation of the steam and formation of a partial vacuum, but, owing to the fact that in practically all cases such devices have been periodic in operation, they have been exceedingly wasteful of steam.

This invention relates to a vacuum producer capable of maintaining a vacuum sufiicient to drawthe water of condensation and entrained air from the return lines of a heating system, and one in'which the operation of admitting the steam and water thereto is intermittent, and not necessarily periodic. The various mechanisms for permitting the inflow of steam and water to the device, are dependent in their operation upon the pressure therewithin, and only operate at times when the pressure therein rises to, or above atmospheric.

It is an object of this. invention to construct a device wherein diaphragm controlled means serve to admit steam to a container into which water may be sprayed to condense the steam and form a vacuum.

It is also an object of this invention to construct a means for producing a vacuum or partial vacuum by introducing steam within a closed container and condensing the same by a spray of cold water.

It is also an object of this invention to construct a device wherein the admission of steam is controlled by a diaphragm operated valve, and the admission of water is con-. ed by a fleet mechani pressure, a diaphragm controlled valve communicating in a chamber to which the steam is admitted serving to control the inflow of said steam to open the valve only at or above atmospheric pressure, and with automatic quick operating float controlled mechanism acting independently of the steam inlet mechanism and independently of pressures within the containen'to introduce a spray of water to condense the steamin the contalner and form a vacuum.

It is finally an object of this invention I to construct a simple device consisting of fewparts, and acting effectively to form a vacuum to withdraw the contents of the air line or returns of a heating systemthereto and to discharge the same.

The invention (in a preferred form) is illustrated in the drawings and hereinafter more fully described.

On the drawings: Figure 1 is a central vertical section taken through a device embodying the principles of my invention, with parts shown in elevation. Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof. Fig. 3 is a section taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a side elevation'showing in detail a part of the actuating mechanism for the water inlet valve. Fig. 5 is a top plan view of a part of the actuating mechanism for the water inlet valve.

As shown in the drawings, a relatively large closed cylinder or container denoted by-the reference numerall, is provided at its bottom'with a cup shaped chamber 2, in open communication therewith. Secured in a central aperture in the top of the container is a diaphragm casing 3, provided with a flexible diaphragm 4, adapted to be moved by differences in pressure on opposite sides thereof, A plurality of apertures 5, are provided in the upper wall of said diaphragm casing on the outer side of said diaphragm 4, in order that atmospheric pressure conditions may prevail on the outer side of the diaphragm at all times.

Secured on the upper portion of the diaphragm casing is a valve body 6, having a stem 7, extending therethrough and through said diaphragmcasing and rigidly connected to the diaphragm. A steam inlet pipe 8, and a steam outlet pipe 9, communicate in said valve casing, said pipe 9, being connected to an inlet pipe 10, leading into the container 1. Interposed between said inlet 8, and outlet 9, of the valve casing, and secured on the upper end of said stem 7, is a valve closure 11, which is adapted, with downward movement of the valve stem 7, to close against a seat formed in the casing 6, to shut off communication between said inlet 8, and outlet 9, respec tively, of the valve casing. A spiral spring 12, is wound about said stem 7, and bears at its upper end against the closure 11, and at its lower end against a fixed portion of the valve casing 6, thus acting normally to project said stem upwardly, with said 'valve closure 11, in open position, permitting communication between the respective inlet and outlet pipes 8 and 9, respectively. Adjustably secured on the lower end of said valve stem 7, is a closure member 12 and supported upon a weak spring 13, held in position on the extreme end of said stem, so that when the closure 11, is projected into open position, said closure 12*, may seat against the downwardly projecting portion of the diaphragm casing 3, to seal the same and prevent access of the hot steam within the container to the flexible,

diaphragm 4. Communicating in'saidcontainer 1, through a removable plate 14:, is a water inlet pipe 15. A valve 16, is connected in said inlet pipe, and is provided with a closure 17, mounted on a slidable actuating stem 18, whereby the flow into the container through said water inlet pipe 15, may be cut oil at proper intervals. A spray head 19, is secured upon an inward upwardly turned end portion of the inlet pipe 15, so that the water admitted to the container may be introduced in the form of a fine spray, directed upwardly and subsantially in all directions. A float controlled mechanism is provided for operating said water inlet, valve from time to time at proper intervals. This mechanism comprises a float 20, disposed in said chamber 2, at the bottom of the container 1, and hung upon a rod 21, pivoted at its end on said removable plate 14:. Also pivoted upon an inwardly directed lug-on said plate 1 1, is an arm or lever 22, which is connected by means of a link 23, with said arm 21, whereby movement of the one may be transmitted to the other. The upper end of the valve stem 18, is provided with an apertured boss 24, which slides upon said lever 22, so that with movement of said lever 22, said valve stem may be moved upwardly or downwardly as the case may be. In order to insure a quick opening or closing of the water inlet valve with movement of the operating mechanisms therefor, a spiral spring 25, is connected to the outer end of said lever 22, and to a lug on the inner surface of said plate 14, so that as said lever 22, is moved slightly past a dead center position the spring serves to pull the same the remaining distance, thus causing a very quick opening or closing of the valve, as the case may be.

A water outlet pipe 26, communicates in the lower portion of said chamber 2, and is provided with a check valve 27. An upstanding branch 28, is connected to the end of said outlet pipe 26, in order to equalize the head of water contained in the chamber 2, so that the resistance required to be overcome when the contained water in the chamber 2, is ejected, is that of the check valve 27. The exhaust line of the heating system or the parts leading from the radiator air line or returns communicate in the container through a pipe 29, which may be conveniently provided with a check valve of any form, though not shown.

For the purpose of discharging entrained air from the container a check valve 30, is connected in the upper portion thereof, so that with an increase of pressure within the container, said check valve may open to permit a discharge of the air entrained in the container. Any type of gage 31, may also be provided on the container, capable of showing the different conditions of pressure within the container.

The operation is as follows: Upon starting up the device the pressure therein is atmospheric, and accordingly the valve closure 11, is elevated permitting an inflow of steam through the respective pipes S, 9, and 10 to the container. lVhen the container becomes filled with steam, an exterior valve, not shown, on the water supply pipe 15, may be opened, and inasmuch as this valve is to remain open so long as the device is in use, and is only used in starting up, said valve is not shown, as obviously the same may be of any conventional type. A spray of water then enters the container and condenses the steam faster than the steam is admitted through the inlet pipe 10. With the rapid condensation of the steam a drop in pressure below atmospheric takes place, thus causing a closure of the valve closure 11, cutting off the supply of steam. The water continues to flow into the container through the spray head 19, further reducing the pressure therein, until the chamber 2, is filled to such an extent as to cause a proper elevation of the float 20, through the intermediate mechanism, to close the valve 17, and shut ofl the water supply. The container is now at a condition of pressurebelow atmospheric and acts to draw the contents of the returns of the heating system thereto, until the pressure within the container rises again to atmospheric. l/Vhen the pressure rises to atmospheric the valve closure 11, opens, permitting an inflow of steam and the steam, of course, being at a pressure slightly above atmospheric, forces the contained water within the chamber 2, outwardly through the check valve 27, with a consequent lowering of the float 20, and, owing to the spring 25, a rapid opening of the valve closure 17, takes place, permitting a sudden inflow of water through the spray head 19. With the sudden influx of water, the steam is again condensed faster thanit is admitted and the pressure in the container drops, thus, owing to the diaphragm 4r, causing a closing of the valve closure 11, cutting off the supply of steam. As before, the water continues to flow until the chamber 2, is filled to an eX- tent that the lever 22, is elevated to a central position, whereupon the spring 25, acts to suddenly close the valve closure 17, and shut off the supply thereof. Of course, when the container reaches a condition of atmospheric pressure and the steam is admitted, owing to the increase. of pressure therein, the entrained air within the container is blown off through the check valve 30, simultaneously with the blowing off of the contained water from the chamber 2. The closure 12, on the lower end of the valve stem 7 upon being brought up against the diaphragm casing 3, closes off communication between said diaphragm and the interior ofthe casing to protect the diaphragm from the de structive effects of the hot steam. Of course, when the steam is condensed and the pressure within the container drops, said closure 12, moves downwardly with said stem 7 with the subsequent closing of the valve closure 11. It is obvious from this construction that the time of occurrence of the cycle of operation is dependent entirely upon the pressures within the container, and is intermittent in this respect, and when the pressure within the container rises 'to atmospheric the members act automatically to again form a partial vacuum. The operation of the mechanism is not periodic, that is to say, it does not take place irrespective of the conditions within the container, thereby wasting steam.

I am aware that various details of construction may be varied through a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention. I therefore do not purpose limiting the patent granted otherwise than necessltated by the prior art.

a diaphragm controlled valve for controlling the inflow of steam through said inlet to the container, said diaphragm adapted to open said valve at or above atmospheric pressure within the container, a water inlet pipe for spraying water within said container, and a float moved by the change in level of the water in the bottom'of said container to open and close said water supply pipe at proper intervals, to condense the steam and form a vacuum in the container.

2. In a device of the class described a container, a steam inlet therefor, a valve controlling the flow through said inlet, a diaphragm for controlling the movement of said valve to open the same at or above atmospheric pressure within the container, means also simultaneously operatable with said valve to close communication between the diaphragm and the interior of the container to protect the diaphragm during admission of steamto said container, and means introducing a spray of water into said container to condense the steam and form a vacuum therein.

3. In a device of the class described a container, means introducing steam thereto, a diaphragm for controlling the admission of steam thereto, mechanism for protecting said diaphragm during the admission of steam to said container, a chamber in open communication with said container at the bottom thereof, a float mounted therein, and a water supply pipe, a float therethrough controlled by said float, to introduce a spray of water into said container to condense-the steam and form a vacuum. 7

4:. In a device of the class described a vacuum cylinder, a receiver cup on the lower end thereof communicating therewith, an inlet steam pipe in the upper end of said cylinder, a diaphragm valve connected to open the steam line at or above atmospheric pressure in the cylinder, an inlet water supply pipe communicating in the lower end of said cylinder, a valve for controlling the flow therethrough, a float mounted in said receiver at the bottom of the cylinder, and mechanism operatively connecting said water supply valve and said float to cause opening and closing of the valve with lowering and raising of the float.

5. In a device of the class described a vacuum cylinder, an inlet steam pipe at the upper end thereof, a diaphragm valve mounted in the upper end of said cylinder, a valve adapted to open and close said steam line with differences in pressure within said cylinder, mechanism forming a part of said valve adapted to close off the communication between the surface of the diaphragm and the interior of the cylinder when said valve is opento protect the diaphragm from the hot steam, an inlet water supply pipe communicating in said cylinder at the lower end thereof adapted to admit water to condense the steam and form a vacuum in the cylinder, a valve controlling the flow through said water pipe, and a float operatively connected with said valve and movlO able with the change in level of the liquid within the cylinder to open and close said valve.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WACLAW KOSSAKOWSKI.

Witnesses CHARLES W. HILLs, J r., FRANK K. HUDSON.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

